Comment on Using Foursquare to Detect Tax Evasion / Money LaunderingComments−csense14yThe effect is probably real, but the problem is the correlation coefficient probably varies over space and time.E.g. you probably have a lot more Foursquare users in Silicon Valley than in Smalltown, USA.Also, Foursquare probably has its popularity change over time. Right now it's still a little new and shiny, but its popularity might change over time.If it was the only information available, it would be better than nothing. But your proposed method would be extremely noisy and unreliable.−diego14yThe good thing is that it's not the only information available, just one more signal. And what's wrong with trying it out only in the Bay Area and New York, for example?−mark24214y"Hey everyone! The IRS is using your check-in data to police the places that you frequent!"I'm sure nothing bad at all would happen upon people reading that headline.−diego14yWell, perhaps it's already happening. After all, you're voluntarily publishing your location in real-time to the world when you check into Foursquare.I find it interesting that we do this naturally and without thinking twice about it. Ten years ago the idea might have seemed preposterous.
Comments
The effect is probably real, but the problem is the correlation coefficient probably varies over space and time.
E.g. you probably have a lot more Foursquare users in Silicon Valley than in Smalltown, USA.
Also, Foursquare probably has its popularity change over time. Right now it's still a little new and shiny, but its popularity might change over time.
If it was the only information available, it would be better than nothing. But your proposed method would be extremely noisy and unreliable.
The good thing is that it's not the only information available, just one more signal. And what's wrong with trying it out only in the Bay Area and New York, for example?
"Hey everyone! The IRS is using your check-in data to police the places that you frequent!"
I'm sure nothing bad at all would happen upon people reading that headline.
Well, perhaps it's already happening. After all, you're voluntarily publishing your location in real-time to the world when you check into Foursquare.
I find it interesting that we do this naturally and without thinking twice about it. Ten years ago the idea might have seemed preposterous.